Forest Sangha Calendar 2012 - 2555 This 2012 calendar features photographs from a variety of contributors. We are grateful for their generosity and skill.
Especially we wish to acknowledge the Kataññut¯a group of Malaysia, Singapore and Australia, and the Sukhi Hotu Sdn Bhd group, for bringing it into production. [email protected]
Scriptural quotes on each page are English renderings of verses from ‘A Dhammapada from Contemplation’ - Aruna Publications. (For full or literal translations please see other works.)
LUNAR OBSERVANCE DAYS
These days are devoted to quiet reflection at the monastery. Visitors may come and take the Precepts for the day and join in all or part of the extended evening meditation.
The dates for the lunar calendar are determined by traditional methods of calculation, and are not always the same as the precise astronomical occurrences.
THE MAJOR FULL-MOON DAYS OF 2012-2555/56
Magha Puja March 7 (‘Sangha Day’) Commemorates the spontaneous gathering of 1250 arahants, to whom the Buddha gave the exhortation on the basis of the discipline (Ovada Patimokkha).
Vesakha Puja (Wesak) June 4 (‘Buddha Day’) Commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha.
Asalha Puja August 2 (‘Dhamma Day’) Commemorates the Buddha’s first discourse, given to the five samanas in the Deer Park at Sarnath, near Varanasi. The traditional Rainy-Season Retreat (Vassa) begins on the next day.
Pavarana Day October 30 This marks the end of the three-month Vassa-retreat. In the following month, lay people may offer the Kathina-robe as part of a general alms-giving ceremony.
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Calendar design & production by Aruna Publications, Aruna Ratanagiri Buddhist Monastery. www.ratanagiri.org.uk © Aruna Publications 2011 Those who speak much are not necessarily possessed of wisdom. The wise can be seen to be at peace with life and free from all enmity and fear.
Dhammapada v. 258
January 2012/2555 s m t w t f s s m t w t f s s m t w T F S s m t w t f s s m t 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 * 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 *Ajahn Chah Memorial Day As rain cannot penetrate a well-made roof, so the passions cannot enter a well-trained heart.
Dhammapada v. 14
February 2012/2555 w t f s s m t w t f s s m t w t f s s m t w t f s s M T W 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 If anything is to be done, do it well, with energy and devotion; the renunciate life led heedlessly just stirs up the dust.
Dhammapada v. 313
March 2012/2555 t f s s m t w t f s s m t w t f s s m t w T F S s m t w T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 *Magha Puja Truly it is ourselves that we depend upon; how could we really depend upon another? When we reach the state of self reliance we find a rare refuge.
Dhammapada v. 160
April 2012/2555 s m t w t f s s m t w t f s s m t w T F S s m t w t f S S M 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 Neither mother, father nor any member of a family can give you the blessings generated by your own well-directed heart.
Dhammapada v. 43
May 2012/2555 t w t f s s m t w t f s s m t w T F S s m t w t f s s m T W T 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 As many garlands can be made from a heap of flowers, so too, much that is wholesome can be done during this human existence.
Dhammapada v. 53
June 2012/2555 f s s m t w t f s s m t w T F S s m t w t f s s m t w T F S ♦ 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 ♦Ajahn Chah Birthday *Vesakha Puja On hearing true teachings, the hearts of those who are receptive, become serene, like a lake, deep, clear and still.
Dhammapada v. 82
July 2012/2555 s m t w t f s s m t w T F S s m t w t f s s m t w t f s S m t 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 31 Do not seek the company of misguided friends; beware of degenerate companions. Seek and enjoy the company of well-guided friends, those who support insight.
Dhammapada v. 78
August 2012/2555 w t f s s m t w T F S s m t w t f s s m t w t f s s m t W T F ♦ 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 *Asalha Puja ♦Vassa begins The protected and guarded mind leads to ease of being. Though subtle, elusive and hard to see, one who is alert should tend and watch over this mind.
Dhammapada v. 36
September 2012/2555 s s m t w t f s s m t w T F S s m t w t f s s m t w t F S s 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 The gift of truth excels all gifts. The flavour of truth surpasses all flavours. The delight of truth transcends all delights. Freedom from craving is the end of all suffering.
Dhammapada v. 354
October 2012/2555 m t w T F S s m t w t f s s m t w t f s s m t w T F S s M T W 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 *Pavarana Devotion and respect should be offered to those who have shown us the Way.
Dhammapada v. 392
November 2012/2555–56 t f s s m t w T F S s m t w t f s s m t w t f s s m t W T F 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 Surrendering oneself to Dhamma leads to serene being. The wise perpetually delight in the truth taught by the Awakened One.
Dhammapada v. 79
December 2012/2556 s s m t w t f s s m t w t f s s m t w T F S s m t w t f S s m 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 January February Luang Por Liem, Ajahn Kevali, Abbot of Wat Pah Pong, Abbot of Wat Pah Nanachat, assisting in building a new hall assisting in building their at Wat Pah Nanachat, 2011. new hall, 2011.
March April Young monks working Luang Por Anek on the building site, on almsround (pindapat) Wat Pah Nanachat, 2011. at his monastery, Wat Pah Sai Ngarm.
May June Ajahn Pasanno Children being helped on almsround (pindapat), by their father to make California. offerings to the shrine, Kuala Lumpur, 2010.
July August Ajahn Cittapala with Ajahn Gunnavuddho guests in front of image offering Dhamma instruction of Luang Por Chah, to children, California, 2010. Amaravati, 2010.
September October Two anagarikas Circumambulation receiving the siladhara of the Cittaviveka temple, ordination, Amaravati, Kathina, 2010. 2010.
November December A family A young novice monk making offerings (samanera) on almsround, in the Amaravati Thailand. temple, 2010. BRANCH MONASTERIES Western disciples of Ajahn Chah The portal page for this community worldwide is: www.forestsangha.org
UNITED KINGDOM: AUSTRALIA: Amaravati Buddhist Monastery Buddha Bodhivana Monastery, Great Gaddesden, 780 Woods Point Road, Hemel Hempstead, East Warburton, Hertfordshire HP1 3BZ. Vic 3799. Tel. Office: +44 (0)144 284 2455 Tel. +61 (0)3 5966 5999 Fax. +44 (0)144 284 3721 Fax. +61 (0)3 5966 5998 Retreat Centre: +44 (0)144 284 3239 www.amaravati.org NEW ZEALAND: Vimutti Buddhist Monastery Aruna Ratanagiri PO Box 7, Harnham Buddhist Monastery Bombay, 2343 Harnham, (South Auckland). Belsay, www.vimutti.org.nz Northumberland NE20 0HF. Tel. +44 (0)1661 881 612 Bodhinyanarama Monastery Fax. +44 (0)1661 881 019 17 Rakau Grove, www.ratanagiri.org.uk Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt 5019. Cittaviveka Tel. +64 (0)4 5637 193 Chithurst Buddhist Monastery www.bodhinyanarama.net.nz Chithurst, Petersfield, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Hampshire GU31 5EU. Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery Tel. +44 (0)1730 814 986 16201 Tomki Road, Fax. +44 (0)1730 817 334 Redwood Valley, www.cittaviveka.org CA 95470. Tel. +1 (707) 485 1630 Hartridge Buddhist Monastery www.abhayagiri.org Odle Cottage, Upottery, CANADA: Honiton, Tisarana Buddhist Monastery Devon EX14 9QE. 1356 Powers Road, RR #3 Perth, Tel. +44 (0)1404 89 1251 Ontario K7H 3C5. Fax. +44 (0)1404 89 0023 Phone: +1 613-264-8208 www.hartridgemonastery.org www.tisarana.ca
SWITZERLAND: ITALY: Kloster Dhammapala Santacittarama Am Waldrand, Localita Brulla, CH-3718 Kandersteg. 02030 Frasso Sabino (Rieti). Tel. +41 (0)33 675 21 00 Tel. +39 07 6587 2186 Fax. +41 (0)33 675 22 41 Fax. +39 06 233 238 629 www.dhammapala.ch www.santacittarama.org
THAILAND: Wat Pah Nanachat, Bahn Bung Wai, Amper Warin, Ubon 34310. www.watpahnanachat.org